Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1887-10-08
FLOWERS FOR. FUNERALS.


Designs and Costa Rival of the Iu-
iiis mortelle-Two Sets of Prices
! Among the endless number of designs that
from time to time n,lorn the window of
well known east sids florist is a five foot Bar
tGoldi statue of the Goddess of Liberty. The
pedestal is made OF solid bank of slate col
ored everlasting flowers, while the statue it
self is made of rich dark reddish brown flow
ers that, although not exactly tue color Of
weather beaten bronze, are very beautiful.
GLOW do YOU make sucl, designsm was
asked of the florist
"The model is first blocked ont with wire.
Then the flowers are put OH with their stems
squeezed in between the wires or tied to them
with thread, us circumstances dictate There
has b.an II great change recently III the sorts
of flowers used for these designs. Formerly
we could use only the inniortelles, the little
quarter inch flowers with which every one is
familiar. but which, as very few know, are
imported from Germany ut considerable eX-
pense In place of the immorteleS we now
use Cape Mays The Cape Mays are nearly
an inch in diameter, and therefore fill up
design faster, which makes them more dc
slrabe for u.s. They are of Il brighter md
purer white. and when dyed the color shows
brighter, and so the customer likes them
better
"Then you have to color your flowers arti-
ficiallyr
aYes. always We first bleach them in a
bath OF sulphur vapor and then use common
anine dyes to give them the shades
desired. The snowy whiteness of the whites
Is really artificial. although the natural color
of the Cape Mays, whether grown wild as
they do on Capo May or cultivated, is very
beautiful The desirable qualities in q flower
for our purpose are purity OF color and the
quality of retainingits form and color when
dried These Capo Mays and the innortelles
will last year if they are kept free from
dust and are not handled roughly"
"What is the latest thing in designs?"
"The Scale OF Life guess. 1t consists Of
wire scale made something like a druggists
scale. The beam is usually covered wifi sill
yer colored flowers and the standard with
something in imitation OF bronze, While the
base will be darker still. A dove may be
perched above the top"
'sWhat does it coSt?'
"Anywhere from $40 to $780, The prices
of flowers for funerals depend so much Oh
circumstances that no list can be given. You
can buy, for instance, steaf OF whcat, or a
beautiful wreath, or q small pillow for So
Larger ones would cost s. to $40. \ broken
column or clock that may be set to he hour
at which the deceased died would cost from
$40 to SIS. One person would pay $40 for a
large model of yacht to be used Mt the
funeral of yacht owner, while if n seaman
on yacht should die and his sliinmates
wanted the same piece to put on his coffin,
they could get it tor S25 or $50. If an ele-
waited train man dies, his comrades car get u
handsome floral car for $50. The same car
would cost the friends of Mr.. Gould in case
of his death $50 or S60-posibly SIS or 800
if bought OH Fifth avenue Pieces called the
Gates Ajnr' and the Heavenly Arches may
be had as low as IS, but they are usually put
together OF a size to command Sl2 or SIS.
The fact Is. the flowers on the cofflu cost
more than the tomb in which the deceased is
placed in many cases, and VIC get money that
ought to go for food for those left behind.
Saying that won't help my business, hut it's che
truth. 1t is no uncommon thing for people
to spend the earnings of year in n funeral,
and it often happens that tho flowers cost
more than the family will save in three
months"
"It shows respect for the dead, doesn't it2-
"No, it doesn't. 1t shows pitiful desire to
make spread for the benefit Of ones neigh
bors; to create talk through the ward. 1t
comes OF Che sort of pride that goes before
destruction New York Sun.